MinElute Gel Extraction Kit

For gel extraction of up to 5 μg DNA fragments (70 bp to 4 kb) in low elution volumes

Very small elution volumes

Fast procedure and easy handling

High, reproducible recoveries

Gel loading dye for convenient sample analysis

The MinElute Gel Extraction Kit provides spin columns, buffers, and collection tubes for silica-membrane-based purification of DNA fragments of 70 bp – 4 kb from up to 400 mg gel slices. The spin columns are designed to allow elution in very small volumes (as little as 10 μl), delivering high yields of highly concentrated DNA. An integrated pH indicator allows easy determination of the optimal pH for DNA binding to the spin column. DNA fragments purified with the MinElute system are ready for direct use in all applications, including sequencing, microarray analysis, ligation and transformation, restriction digestion, labeling, microinjection, PCR, and in vitro transcription. The MinElute Gel Extraction Kit can be automated on the QIAcube.
For optimal results it is recommended to use this product together with QIAvac 24 Plus.

The MinElute Gel Extraction Kit is intended for molecular biology applications. This product is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, or treatment of a disease.

MinElute procedure.

The simple bind-wash-elute procedure ensures greater convenience.

Higher DNA concentrations.

A 500 bp and a 1000 bp fragment purified using the MinElute Gel Extraction Kit and three different silica-based DNA purification kits from the indicated suppliers. Two microliters of each eluate was loaded onto a 1.5% agarose gel. M: markers.

pH indicator dye in the solubilization and binding buffer allows easy visual determination of optimal pH for DNA adsorption (pH ≤7.5). An incorrect binding-mixture pH can occur if the agarose gel electrophoresis buffer was frequently used or incorrectly prepared. In this case, the pH can be easily adjusted by addition of 10 µl 3 M sodium acetate, pH 5.0.

The MinElute system uses a simple bind-wash-elute procedure (see flowchart "MinElute procedure"). Gel slices are dissolved in a buffer containing a pH indicator, allowing easy determination of the optimal pH for DNA binding (see figure "pH Indicator Dye"), and the mixture is applied to the MinElute spin column. Nucleic acids adsorb to the silica-gel membrane in the high-salt conditions provided by the buffer. Impurities are washed away and pure DNA is eluted with a small volume of low-salt buffer provided or water, ready to use in subsequent applications.

Handling

MinElute spin columns are designed to provide two convenient handling options (see "MinElute procedure"). The spin columns fit into a conventional table-top microcentrifuge or onto any vacuum manifold with luer connectors, such as the QIAvac 24 Plus with QIAvac Luer Adapters. The MinElute Gel Extraction Kit, in addition to other QIAGEN spin-column-based kits, can be fully automated on the QIAcube, enabling increased productivity and standardization of results (see figures "Spin column handling options A, B, C, D, and E").

Applications

DNA fragments purified with the MinElute or QIAquick System are ready for direct use in all applications, including: